Every
height of heel is fabulous, from the comfortable flat (add a link here) to the
alluring stilettoes (add a link here), but which is for you? You ask. The
easiest answer to this question depends all on the original structure of your
feet. Some women are naturally high-heeled so high heels go along with the
natural curve of your feet, where flats may be a bit uncomfortable for you. And
some women are vise-versa they are not necessarily flatfooted but are blessed
with a lower heel so high heels for her may be uncomfortable but not impossible
to wear. To find the perfect heel height for you, we have Emma’s
Heel Height Test.
Most likely your
favorite pair of pumps coincides with this test
(mine did!). Just hints that your body usually knows what’s best for you
and lets you know. Now, if you choose to ignore your body, there are
repercussions.
Remember when you went
out last week and you wore your sexiest pair of shoes all night and
you took them off and could barely walk flat. That’s a sign DING DING! You wore those shoes
for too long and if you continue you will have permanent effects.
TO BE CLEAR:
The most harm from heels comes from constant
long-term wear in high heels. Sometimes ladies we just have to say no to
those beautiful pumps and don the not so sexy flats. You can always bedazzle
them!
The lasting effects are
most likely shown in the knees, back, and of course the feet. Shoes 2” or
higher forces the body forward, turning walking into an awkward chore. It also
forces the foot downwards restricting its ability to
flex and absorb the shock of walking on cement grounds with your weight forced
on each step. Leaving those sensitive areas like the knees and hip joints to
pick up the slack, which can aggravate and sometimes even cause arthritis.
Here are some pros and cons with the varying
heel height:
Flats
(1 inch or less)
Pros: They’re
comfortable, stylish and easier on the feet than higher heels.
Cons: Most don’t offer
arch support, and the feet often have to work to keep the shoes on.
Kittenheels (1.5 to 2 inches)
Pros: They build muscle
in the calves, make legs appear longer, and are easier to walk in than higher
heels.
Cons: They can cause
problems from corns to back pain. They don’t supply the same glamour that
higher heels do.
Highheels (2.5 to 4 inches)
Pros: They build muscle
in the calves, make legs appear longer and the body leaner.
Cons: They can be
painful to wear, and are sometimes difficult to walk in. They can cause many
foot problems, such as hammertoes and bunions, and back pain.
Extreme
(over 4 inches)
Pros: They build muscle
in the calves, make legs appear longer and the body leaner. They also tend to
make the backside more noticeable (although this could also be a con!).
Cons: They put huge
pressure on the feet—seven times your body weight—plus very difficult to walk
in and can cause foot problems and back pain.
*
Heels 4½”+ are acceptable with much
caution; anything more is bad for your posture. It forces your bottom to poke
out and overloads the toes and balls of the feet with the full force of your
weight. These are the type of heels made for sitting, and nothing more.
The higher the heel the
bigger the impact: some studies have shown 4” heels can add up to 30% or more
pressure to the front of the foot. Don’t we all want to be a sexy grandma one
day and those days of reckless youth may come back to haunt us with constant
heel wear. Long wear can also cause restricted circulation in the lower legs,
which can eventually bring on the dreaded spider vein. That is not a sexy lady!
I know you ladies love to create that walk that makes the boys stop and the men
stare, but it can create an unnatural sway to you spine, producing a stressed
lumbar that can result in sore lower back. Heels not only have to be the right
height but in the right position: not too far back, but right under the center
of the heel so they support your weight properly, following the natural line of
your body.
But
with anything timing is key. Taking breaks on the constant heel wear or simply
varied the heel height can make you the exception to the rule easily.
Ladies listen to your
body especially your feet! They protect you from so much.
Stretching after those fun nights can do your body a load of good not even just
your feet. Yoga is a great way to add focus to your spirit and also stretches
out your ? and relieves tension. Yoga poses
such as High and Low Lunge and Standing Forward Fold to stretch the muscles in
your calves, hip flexors, and hamstrings. Core work can also help stretch out
shortened muscles in your back and tone overstretched muscles in your abdomen.
When you are done
wearing your heels, spend a few minutes to give your feet a massage. Work your
ankles in a few different directions and massage the arches. This will help to
loosen any muscles that might have tightened or become strained from wearing
the heels.
Just as the alcohol tagline says, Always
wear heels responsibly!
Superb Couture Footwear is a premiere online retailer
that sells quality footwear and foot care products to women. They seek to
inspire and educate women about proper use of footwear and foot care. To learn
more about the products offered and the informative articles provided, go to
superbfootwear.com. (add a link to website)
Sources
http://www.onemedical.com/blog/live-well/can-high-heels-hurt-you/
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